Dr Pauline Kingi stands down from inquiry into appointment of deputy police commissioner Wally Haumaha

August 1, 2018

Dr Pauline Kingi, who was chosen to head the inquiry into the appointment of Wally Haumaha as deputy police commissioner, has stood down. 

She told Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin of her decision today. 

"It is with regret that I have to inform the House that Dr Pauline Kingi advised the Government that she is going to stand down from the inquiry and to the appointment process for the deputy commissioner for the police," Ms Martin said during Parliament's Question Time today. 

"Ever since she has been appointed to the role she has been the subject of political attack. Those have been attacks on her integrity, on her reputation and even attacks on her legal qualification," Ms Martin said.

"Dr Kingi has a 28 year career as both a community member, senior public servant and as a lawyer. The Government has accepted her resignation and will commence the process to find a replacement."

Ms Martin's statement came after questioning by National MP Chris Bishop in the House today.

Mr Bishop also asked if Dr Kingi’s resignation came after being asked by Ms Martin, or if it was voluntary.

"I have not had any opportunity to have any conversations with Ms Kingi, all interactions with Ms Kingi have been dealt with the Department of Internal Affairs," Ms Martin said. 

Dr Kingi released a statement today saying: "I have an extensive and lengthy career across public service and local government that I am extremely proud of. My career is a matter of public record.

"The development of the Maori Potential Framework, through Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK), the Government’s primary advisor on Māori development, is something that I am extremely passionate about. It was through this mechanism that I acted as a representative, on behalf of TPK, on the Auckland Taumata and Counties-Manukau Taumata of the New Zealand Police.

"Te Puni Kōkiri undertook monitoring of the New Zealand Police force in terms of its Treaty compliance and its development of its response to the Māori Potential Framework. I am very proud of the work undertaken to encourage one of the largest government agencies to have a positive Māori responsiveness. The culture of change that has occurred in the New Zealand Police force is something I am particularly proud of."

Background

NZ Herald reported Mr Haumaha's LinkedIn account shows 23 skill endorsements from an account in the name of Dr Pauline Kingi , including leadership, Government and stakeholder management. 

Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters told media yesterday the process into Dr Kingi's appointment to head the deputy police commissioner inquiry had been "thoroughly investigated".

"Cabinet office has been checked out, Department of Internal Affairs has been checked, Crown Law's been checked, we've done all the checks we possibly could do."

Mr Peters announced last week Dr Kingi would be heading the independent inquiry into the appointment of Mr Haumaha as the new Deputy Police Commissioner.

It came after NZ Herald reported an officer told the 2004 Operation Austin investigation into the police sex allegations that Mr Haumaha called Louise Nicholas' rape allegations "nonsense" and that "nothing really happened".

Mr Haumaha apologised for the comments, saying they do not reflect his views.

"It is important to say outright that I take responsibility for those comments, I deeply regret them, and I unreservedly apologise for the hurt and concern they have caused," he said.

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